Firefighter, District Commissioner Dies After Cardiac Arrest During Rescue in Ulster County

A longtime volunteer firefighter and fire district commissioner died Saturday after suffering a medical emergency while responding to a rescue call in Ulster County, according to the Ulster County executive’s office.

Michael J. Ryan, a firefighter and commissioner with the Phoenicia Fire District, was part of a crew that responded at about 5:26 p.m. to a report of an injured hiker in the Town of Shandaken. Firefighters entered a wooded trail area about a half-mile in to locate the hiker.

While operating in the woods, Ryan suffered a sudden medical emergency and went into cardiac arrest, officials said. Fellow Phoenicia firefighters, assisted by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers, the Shandaken Police Department and Shandaken EMS, immediately began life-saving efforts.

Despite those efforts, Ryan died at the scene.

Ryan served the Phoenicia Fire District as both a firefighter and a fire district commissioner. Officials described his death as a profound loss to the department and the community.

The Ulster County Department of Emergency Services and the Phoenicia Fire District extended condolences to Ryan’s family.

Information about funeral services will be released when available. Press inquiries may be directed to Deputy Director of Emergency Services Andrew Cafaldo at (845) 331-7000.

Image: Michael J. Ryan, a firefighter with the Phoenicia Fire Department, died while responding to injured hiker report in Shandaken Saturday. (Credit: Tyler A. McNeil/Times Union)